FA Suspends Former Referee Coote Eight Weeks for Klopp Comments

David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has been suspended for eight weeks by the Football Association for making abusive and insulting comments about Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded in July 2020 and leaked on social media in November 2024. Coote admitted to the charges, which were deemed an aggravated breach due to references to nationality, resulting in additional mandatory face-to-face education. He was previously dismissed from the referees' body PGMOL after the video surfaced, and UEFA has banned him from refereeing activities until June 2026. The scandal deepened when The Sun published a separate video allegedly showing Coote using cocaine during Euro 2024, prompting a UEFA investigation. Despite his misconduct, the regulatory commission acknowledged Coote showed genuine remorse and found no malicious intent, though his actions led to significant professional consequences. Coote has since shifted careers, reportedly working as a courier while seeking to rebuild his life.